Caring for a Zoysiagrass Lawn

Maintenance Tips for a Zoysiagrass Lawn

If you've just planted a zoysiagrass lawn, or bought a house with one, you'll want to know how to take care of it. Mowing, weeding, and repairing your lawn may be different from what you're used to. Here are a few tips to help you keep your zoysiagrass lawn looking its best.

Mowing Your Zoysiagrass Lawn

If you're used to a Kentucky bluegrass lawn, zoysia may surprise you. For one thing, you want to keep it quite a bit shorter than a bluegrass lawn -- anywhere from ¾ - 2 inches. There's usually no need to collect your lawn clippings, since they return nutrients to the soil. Unless you have clumps of clippings, especially wet ones, let them stay on the lawn.

Watering Your Zoysiagrass Lawn

As with any grass, the watering needs of zoysia depend on soil and weather conditions. As a rule of thumb, though, you want to irrigate about an inch of water a week. If you have sandy soil, it doesn't hold moisture as well as clay soils. You may have to water half an inch every 3 days or so. Don't just wait on your watering schedule. If you see that your zoysiagrass lawn looks bluish-grey, shows footprints, and has curled and wilted leaves, it's time to water. Of course, always comply with local watering restrictions.

Controlling Weeds in Your Zoysiagrass Lawn

Your best defense against weeds in your lawn is thick, strong grass. If you have a newly seeded zoysiagrass lawn, wait until after the fourth mowing before using a pre-emergent weed-control product. Also, be sure to use products that specifically state they are labeled for use on zoysiagrass. Products containing 2,4-D can harm zoysia when it is emerging from dormancy and greening up.

Feeding Your Zoysiagrass Lawn

Zoysiagrass, like other warm-season grasses, stays pretty quiet during the cool months, but grows steadily from spring till fall. You can feed from the first time you mow it until the end of the growing season. Feed it about every 6-8 weeks or 3-5 times a season. There are a number of Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Fertilizer products that are appropriate for zoysiagrass.

Repairing Your Zoysiagrass Lawn

Sometimes, weather conditions and wear and tear can weaken any lawn. If your zoysiagrass lawn develops bare or thin spots, you can repair it with sod, plugs, or overseeding. To find out how to use these techniques, look at our article on How to Grow a Zoysiagrass Lawn.

Certain activities provided via the website may be covered by U.S. Patent No. 5,930,474

The Global Professional business group and its subsidiaries of The Scotts Company LLC were purchased by ICL in February 2011.
This is the USA consumer products site for The Scotts Company LLC. For information about ICL or Scotts® Professional products, please visit http://www.scottsprofessional.com.